Taxes & Spending
SB 1831: Increasing Transparency & Accountability of Texas’ Taxpayer Dollars
Testimony before the Senate Finance Committee in support of SB 1831 by Vance Ginn, Ph.D.
May 2, 2017
Taxes & Spending
Conservative budget should be Texas Legislature’s priority
There’s a lot to do between now and sine die. Passing a conservative Texas budget and putting the franchise tax on a path to elimination should remain at the top of the list. If these both happen, Texas will have taken a historic step toward reining in the growth of government and promoting liberty and prosperity for all.
May 1, 2017
Higher Education
NYU Administrator Goes Full Orwell: Violating Free Speech ‘Ensures The Conditions Of Free Speech’
Now, I’m all for protecting the rights of minorities to participate in public discourse—that’s why I support the First Amendment, which protects free speech for all. But, according to Baer, supporting free speech for all disenfranchises minorities. Somehow, minorities are not included in “all.”
April 30, 2017
Criminal Justice
What I Learned About Civil Unrest During The Los Angeles Riots 25 Years Ago
This commentary originally appeared in The Federalist on April 28, 2017. The age of cell phone video ubiquity treats us with daily outrages over people in authority behaving badly towards the powerless. Unreasoned passion leads to a thirst for justice, or at least the appearance of justice. In 1991, there were no cell-phone cameras and...
April 28, 2017
Economy
HB 3664: A Bouquet of Central Planning
Bill analysis by House Bill 3664: A Bouquet of Central Planning
April 28, 2017
Economy
SB 845: Creating Value and Deconstructing Economic Barriers
J.D. Rimann's testimony on Senate Bill 845: Creating Value and Deconstructing Economic Barriers
April 28, 2017
Property Rights
Time to Defend Our Property Rights
In response to the creeping “Californiazation of Texas,” Governor Abbott called for a “broad-based ban on regulations at the local level.” This week, the House Land & Resource Management Committee responded to that call by voting House Bill 3787 out of committee. The bill, as filed by Representative Cecil Bell, would prohibit cities and counties...
April 28, 2017
Health Care
Pushing granny off the cliff, again
This commentary originally appeared on The Gilmer Mirror on April 27, 2017. Grandma in her wheelchair is back on the ledge. Do we want a new tax pushing her over? Texas’ elder population cannot get the care they need. Resources are insufficient such as: lack of support to avoid institutionalization; inadequate numbers of nurses; lower skill levels...
April 27, 2017
Economy
SB 2178: A Preemptive Strike to Strengthen the Lone Star Economy
Currently, it is very difficult for individuals to challenge local licensing laws, which require additional licensing requirements imposed on state-licensee holders by municipalities SB 2178 institutes a judicial relief mechanism to make it easier for state licensees to challenge these types of local regulations and shifts the burden of proof onto local governments to prove...
April 27, 2017
Criminal Justice
United, Ferguson, Abu-Ghraib, And The L.A. Riots At 25: Lessons Learned
Organizations with authority over others are vulnerable to any suggestion that they are abusing their power. Further, while corporations must correct bad behavior or risk going out of business, government often just continues with business as usual.
April 27, 2017
Health Care
A proven way for Texas lawmakers to improve primary health care access
The shortage of primary care providers isn't just a rural issue. Shortages are found in major metropolitan areas and impact Texans of all coverage stripes — those with private insurance, no insurance, CHIP or Medicaid. A recent survey by Dallas-based Merritt Hawkins showed the nationwide average wait time to see a family practice physician in mid-sized cities was up to 122 days. That’s four months to find out if your belly pain is gas, an ulcer or cancer.
April 27, 2017
Economy
HB 3287 & SB 2083: Trouble Is Brewing in the Texas Beer Market
Bill Analysis for HB 3287 & SB 2083.
April 26, 2017